Thermostatic device



Nov. 21, 1933. w. w. CARSON. JR 1,936 324 THERMOSTATIC D'EVICE Filed May 3, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet l Nov, 21, 1933.

w. w.- CARSON, JR

THERMOSTATIC DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 3, 1930 Nov. 21, 1933.

w. w. CARSON, JR

THERMOSTATIC DEVKCE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 5, 1930 xmw m NN Zmnentor Wa /m.

Gttornegs 55 parts.

Patented Nov. 21, 1933 1,936,324

aumrso STATES PATENT OFFICE THERMO STATIC DEVICE William W. Carson, Jr., Knoxville, Tenn., as signor to The Fulton Sylphon Company, Knoxville, Tenn, a corporation of Delaware Application May 3, 1930. Serial No. 449,67d 45 Claims. (Cl. 236-99) This invention relates to thermostatic devices Another object of this invention is to provide a and remote controls associated therewith, alremote control mechanism with an improved comthoughaswill appear hereinafter, the remote conmutator which is simple in construction, which trols of the present invention are capable oi use is motor controlled, and which enables a series 5 in other relations and in other combinations. wound motor to be used with alternating current so It is an object of this invention to provide a with the current always flowing in the same dithermostatic device with improved means whererection through the field windings and the armaloy the operating range of the device may be varied tore winding. through relatively wide limits. Another object of this invention is to provide Another object of this invention is to provide a a remote control mechanism with an improved 35 device of the type just characterized with imactuating means which is adaptable either to proved operating means for adjusting the range manual or to automatic operation, and which can of operation of said device. be controlled by thermostatic mechanism or by Another object of this invention is to provide a time-controlled mechanism.

15 thermostatic device with improved means where- Another object of this invention is to provide a m by two or more elements may be operated in remote control mechanism with an improved sosequence. lective switch device of the mercury contact type.

Another object of this mve'ntion is to provide Another object of the invention is to provide rc== an improved device or the type just characterize. mote control mechanism as hereinhefore charac- 2 with novel means for preventinv injury to terized in the preceding statements of object in parts. ticn with thermostatic mechanism, Another object of this invention is to provide a control mechanism be operated by thermostatic device with novel remote control the lostatic mechanism or he used to opermechanism either for operation of or to he one:-

t ostatie mechanism.

, ated by the thermostat. 0t ob cts will appear as the description of 53 Another ociect of the present invention is to c1 11 proceeds.

provide a device of the typejost characterized ven'ion is capable of receiving a vo= with improved ecreting means; also with ill'l i nical expressions, some cl which proved control. mechanism. in the accompanying drawings, but it 3@ Another o-"cje of this invention to prev lessly understood that the drawings g5 v an improved r ote control device which is -oses of illustration only, and are not adapted to move 3 device to he controlled by in" he so as a definition oi the limits of. the crements and which he operated either i; o, eference being had to the appended manually OI automatically. claims s 1 that punoose.

35 Another object or this invention is to provide a Rderrir" in detail to the drawings, wherein 943 remote control mechanism which is simple in son th some 'erence characters are employed to structlon, flexible in use, certain in oneration desigmge gohespgndmg parts in t Swarm relatively inexnensive to construct and operate.

Another abject my this invemmm 1 i a Fig. l is elevation, partly in axial section, o;

ll L -9 remate tmntml F i m wmelh "11hodiment of the nresent invention;

apembefi and whim 3s,ecm0mlm1,m 2 is e l elevation, partly in section, of a re= tor opposite directions oi movement; which ll e mbodiment of Fig. lq l y ha on "with an o, M sures that the controlled mech nism s. ll 1 a wiring diagrw to m tmte me 013:

i n rcl 1 4b i i c g s i i i r l rigfgl g i i i tl mi o rangie; mm swam! uevice; M and which is not rendered inoperative s3... e @1151 elevmwn of a; Selective 3mm}? points or the selector mechanism. become emp y the embodiment m Another object oi this invention is to i 5o remote control mechanism with core or less schematic view to ihus m5 nism which permits reversal oi rotation move: crinoi selective switch that may he ment of a switch in one lead connection, or e embodiment of Fig. 3; and which uses current only when the remote control wt;raromatic view to show how the mechanism is changhig the relationship mechanism of the present invenused to edect the incremental move- 1m ment of one or more remote elements the position of which is to be adjusted.

In the embodiment of Fig. 1, wherein the invention is shown as applied to the operation of a valve, as the valve in a gas supply line, 10 designates a valve casing of any suitable size, construction and material, and provided with inlet and outlet conections, one of which is indicated at Within the valve casing is a valve member 12 of any suitable size, construction material which, for example, may take the form of a doc-- ble seated balanced valve of large area small lift.

Attached to the valve casing 10 is a suitable housing 13 for the operating mechanism of the valve member 12. As shown, the valve is of the packless type and the end of the valve member 12 is provided with a recess 14 in which engages a projection 15 on the end wall 16 of a bellows 17, the opposite end of which is attached to an annu lar member 3.8 that is suitably secured to the valve casing 10 to form a fluid-tight 30 nt therewith. Said end wall 16 carries a tubular extension 19 which may carry a stop tube 20 and which is threaded interiorly for the attachment thereto of a valve stem 21.

The opposite end of the valve stem 21 is suitably attached, as by a threaded connection 22, to a yoke member 23, the opposite side of which is anertured at 24. Rectilinearly movable in the aperture 24 is a stem member 25 provided, at opposite sides of the yoke section, with suitable limit stops so as to determine and limit the extent of movement of said member 25 in the aperture 24. As shown, the portion of member 25 projecting into the yoke 23 is threaded and carries a nut 26 which acts as one limit stop. Outside of the yoke 23 the member 25 is enlarged so as to provide a shoulder 27 which will engage the outer side of the yoke 23 and limit the inward movement of the member 25 through the aperture 24. The yoke 23 is shown as provided with a. socket 28 and the member 25 is shown as provided with a second shoulder 29, and between the bottom of the socket 28 and the shoulder 29 is a coil spring 30 which normally holds the stop 26 against the yoke 23, but which may yield so as to permit the member 25 to be moved inwardly with respect to the yoke until stopped by the engagement of the shoulder 27 therewith.

Suitably attached to the member 25 is a stem 31 which may be guided adjacent its free end, i. e. the lower end as viewed in Fig. 1, by a guide member 32 carried by a tube 33 suitably attached to the yoke 23 as at the socket 28. Telescopically engaged with the tube 33 is atubular member which, at its opposite end, is suitably attached, as by the thread connection 35, to a socket member 36 mounted on the movable head 37 of a thermostat 38 of any suitable type, size and construction.

Intermediate its ends the tubular member 34 normally engaged a socket -member is recessed at 41 to receive the free of t stem 3i. interposed between the socket member 4.0 and the socket member 36 is a coil spring d2 which normally holds the socket member against the shoulder 39 but which yield to permit movement oi the socket member so with respect to the tubular member 3% as hereinafter explained. Spring 42 is preferably constructed. so as to be somewhat stiffer than the spring so that spring 42 will not yield until after spring 30 has yielded to the extent permitted by the limit stops on the member 25.

Thermostat 38 is mounted in any suitable way so as to subject the same to the mediur. the temperature of which is to determine the operation of the valve mechanism heretofore de scribed, as for example, air whose temperature is to determine the amount of he ting medium flowing past the valve member As shown, the thermostat 38 is of the bellows type and has a deeply corrugated, expansible and collapsible, flexible metal wall 43 which is suitably attached, a as by brazing or soldering, to the lovable head 37, at one end, and to static l wall 44, at its opposite end. A tubw may be carried by the stations. limit the contraction the thermostat may be charged suitable for the temperatui through a filling opening is mounted in any suitable having its stationary end we attached to the inwardly d a plurality of axially extendn. the flange 49 of a suppo as respects certain ieati rigidly attached to the 1 ably mounted adjustably explained.

In the form shown, the housing 13 is provided with a tubular extension 50 which 1as an in on as hereinafter terior thread 51 of steep pitch. Carried by said extension 50 and provided with an exterior thread 52 coacting with thread 51 is a tubular support 53 attached to or formed integral with the flange 49. Interiorly, said tubular support 53 is'provided with a thread 54 and mounted within the bore of said member 53 and coacting with said thread 54, is a nut 55, centrally apertured to permit the passage therethrough of the tube 33 and also provided with suitable apertures 56 to enable adjustment of said nut, as by a spanner wrench. Interposed between the adjustable nut 55 and the movable end wall 37 of the thermostat 38 is a. relatively still coil spring 57 which in its opposition to the expansion of the thermostat affords a wide range of operation and which can be adjusted as to its tension, by adjustment of the nut 55, so as to predetcrmine the temperature at which the thermostat, by overcoming the tension of said spring, begins its expansive movement. Inasmuch as said spring 5'7 and its adjusting means are wholly carried by said support the tension of said spring can be varied independently or" the position of said sup port while said-support can be adjusted without aifecting the tension of said spring. Tubular support 53 is also provided with a plurality of sockets 58 with which engage a corresponding number of pins 59 carried by a rotatable ring 60 having a suitable bearing in the housing 13. Sprin s 61 are preferably housed in of the recesses 58 between-the end or the the end of the corresponding p jecting thereinto; Rotatable vided on its periphery with. .orin 62, and rotatably mounted in the in mesh with said teeth 62, is wcl 72a be operated marr y or by automatic mechanism to rotate the therefore, through the p 53 to cause he latter to pro or lesser extent into the e of the housing 13, thereby varyin the po" of the thermostat with respect to the housii valve member.

If desired, the ring member 50 may carry a 150 suitable dial 64: provided with appropriate indicia, so that when these indicia pass a pointer in an aperture or window in the housing 13 (not shown) the position of adjustment of the thermostat with respect to the valve member may be readily determined.

. Mounted on the yoke 23 is a switch of any suitable character and construction as for operation of the circuit of a motor or any electrically controlled or operated element and which switch is operated by the member 25. As shown, the switch is of the mercury type, and includes a suitable vessel 66 which carries a pair of contact elements 6'7 and a body of mercury 68, suitable leads 69 being connected to the contact elements 67. Vessel 66 is mounted in any suitable way, as by clips 70, in a carrier element '71, tiltably mounted at '72 on a projection from the yoke 23. A coil thereby the valve stem 2?. being" spring 73 attached at one end to said carrier member 71 and at its opposite end to a lug on yoke 23 normally holds the carrier member tilted in the position shown, so that the contained mercury closes the circuit through the contact elements 6'7. The end of the element 25 is adapted .to engage the carrier member 71 and tilt the same about its pivot '12 so that the mercury will leave the contact elements 6'1. As shown, the end of member 25 engages a pivoted member 74. which has some freedom of movement with respect to the carrier member 71 but which when operated by the member 25 will engage and tilt said member '71 about its .pivot'i2.

Assuming the parts to bein the relative position shown in Fig. 1, the valve 12 is wide .open and the thermostat 33 is in its most contracted position. Asthe temperature rises a pressure is developed in the thermostat 36 which, when the predetermined temperature isreached, as fixed by the tension of the spring 57, will cause the thermostat to begin its expansive movement against the tension of said spring 57. During the first part of this expansive movement the tubular member 34 will move telescopically with respect to the tube 33 but the stem 33. will not be operated owing to the scclzet member being spaced from the end of the stem 31. At pre determined temperature, determined by the position of the support 53 with to the cas ing 13, the socket member it will engage the of the stem of the thermostat will. cause mcvement the stem 31, the yoke 23 moving with said stem and moved to operate close the latter.

s engaged its seat,

the valve member 12 When the valve member is. further movement thereof, and or the valve 21 and yoke 23, is arrested. If the thermostat continues to expand the spri g 30 will to yield, permitting the member to be protruded to a greater extent into the yoke 23 until its shoulder 2'7 finally contacts the same. "Prior to contact of the shoulder 2'4 with the yoke 23, how ever, the member 25 will the carrier ii to such a position that the mereury will flow out cf contact with the elements 3'4, and thereby break the circuit through the leads 63. If the thermo= stat continues to expand the shoulder has engaged the yolre 23, spring: 42 may yield un= til such time as the move-talc end wait 37 tl thermostat 33 has engaged the flange d3 positively arrested any further ezzpansioi'i of the thermostat.

As the temperature falls thermostat contracts, the sequence or operation is reversed, the spring 73 tilting the vessel 66 heel; intothe -moves the member 31, and thereafter further expansion wound in opposite directions and connected lead 96. Segments ture, at which the thermostat begins to expand,

the temperature at which the expansion of the thermostat begins to operate the valve member is determined by the distance between the free end of the stem 31 and the bottom of the socket member 40, and this in turn is determined by the adjustrnent of the tubular support 53 with respect to the casing 13. By rotating the worm 63, either manually or automatically, the ring 60 ,may be rotated to rotate the support 53 through the pins 59, and, by reason of the steeply pitched threads 51 and 52, cause the support 53 to move inwardly or outwardly with respect to the casing 13 and thereby vary the distance between the elements 31 and 40. As the ring 60 moves with respect to the casing 13 its dial 64 will move with respect to the window in the casing and the indicia carried by said dial will indicate the temperature at which the thermostat will start to move the valve member. It is to be noted that the member 60 can be adjusted without injury to the parts,

even though the socket member is already engaged-with the stem 31, because if adjustment 53 further into the casing the soclret member l0 may yield with respect to the member 34 and thereby prevent any injury to the parts.

While as respects certain. features of this in vention the ring may be manually rotated, it not infrequently occurs that the adjustment of said ring should take place from a point remote therefrom, as where the thermostat is disposed in 3",,

a chainberthat should not be entered du'ing some or all of the period when adjustment oi the thermostat should be effected. The present invention provides means in combination with a thermostatic device such as so far described whereby the thermostat may be adjusted tn ou any desired increments from a point remote therefrom.

Referring to Figs. 2, 3 and the'remote control apparatus to he described is shown mounted directly on the valve casing it a i. housing 13. As here shown, the ring 60 is vided with pinion teeth and meshing thei is a pinion 30 carried by the shaft havin able hearings in the housing 13 and valve 10, and connected through suitable reducing 32 in housing 33 to a motor As diagrammatically indicated in motor a series wound motor having a tin field coil, the sections 35 and 83 of whi series to the armature 53? which in turn is co. nec'ed to the main Connected to the field coil. is a commutator brush 39 which rides. on periphery of a slip ring 9t, and connected to the field coil 36 is a commutator brush which. rides an the surface of a slip ring 2. w sociated withthe rmgs 9t and 32 are a pal segments 93 and 9 1, here shown as semi oirc although each may be made of less extent.

is connected to the segment 93 by a lead and ring 32 is connected to the segment 31 by 93 and 94 are separate insulating blocks 3'? and 98, and said rii er segments are mounted on a motordriven 99. Cooperating with the segment 94 are a plurality of brushes 100, 101, 102 to 112 inclusive, and each of said brushes is connected by a suitable lead 113 to a corresponding contact point 114, 115, 116, to 1326 inclusive, of a selector switch which also includes a movable contact arm 127 which is connected by a lead 128 to the main 129. The rates of gears in the housing 83 is such that shaft 99 will rotate through an angular distance corresponding to the spacing of the extren e brushes 180 and 112 while the gear is rotated to extent as to effect the movement of the t .-.ostat from one extreme position to the other.

Assume that contact arm 127 is moved to contact point 119. Current will flow from the main 129 through 128, contact arm 127, contact point 119, and the corresponding lead 113 to brush 105, thence through segment 94, lead 96, ring 92', brush 91, field coil 86, and armature 87 to main The motor will thereby be dr and ough the reducing gears 82 and aft 99, the gs sectors will be rotated in a clockwise action until the insulating block 88 comes un "ush 105 and thereby interrupts the circuit. During this period of rotation of the shaft 99, the 81 will be driven to the appropriate extent to adjust the thermostatic mechanism in the manner heretofore described. the contact arm. 127 is now moved forwardly to another contact point, as 122 for example, the motor will again be driven in the same direction and the rings and sectors will be rotated until insulator block 98 comes under the corresponding brush 108. I

If contact arm 127 is moved in the opposite direction, the motor will be rotated in the opposite direction correspondingly. Thus, assume that the contact arm is moved from point 122 to point 116. Current will now flow from main 129 through lead 128, contact'arm 127, point 116, lead 113, brush 102, segment 93 (which is now under said brush), lead 95 ring 90, brush 89, field coil 85, armature 87 and main 88. As field coil 85 is-wound rev'ersely to field coil 86, the motor will'rotate in the oppositedirection, and the shaft 99 will rotate in the opposite direction, thereby rotating the rings and the segments in the opposite direction, until insulating block 98 comes under brushes 102, whereupon the circuit is again interrupted and the parts are left in the new position of adjustment.

In place of the type of slip rings and commutator sector indicated in Fig. 3, the commutator may be constructed as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, where the two segments are formed as two disks 135 and 136 offset portions and cutaway porlions which mate and which are separated by insulation 187. The brushes 89 and 91 are always in contact with the disks 135 and 136 res ectively, whe the brushes 100112 will ene one or c or of these disks depending on the location the offset in the insulation insulating block 98.

t the remote control hereo e described p its of the use, with altermitt/1-1g current, oi a 2) rice wound motor of double field coil and the current always nor/"s through the ds and armature in the same direction. also c cut is used only during the period when a cl in the adjustment is to be effected, bed at all other times the circuit is interrupted by the insulating block 98 under lying brush whi c ls in circuit with the point engaged by the contact arm 127. The segment 94 need not be 180 in extent, but may be made as much less as desired. Ordinarily it should not extend more than 180, so as to prevent extreme movement of the contact arm 127 making such a circuit connection as to cause the motor to rotate in the wrong direction from that corresponding with the direction of movement of the contact arm 127.

However, if there is no danger of the contact arm 127 being moved rapidly from one extreme to the other, the segment 94 and brushes cooperating therewith may extend for more than 180. Feu'ch would be appropriate when the contact arm 127 is to be operated by thermostatic or time controlled or other mechanism so that its engagement with the point 114 to 126 is certain to be progressive and gradual.

The points of the selector switch heretofore escribed may represent any desired increment of temperature difference, and the temperature increments may be uniform throughout the range of the switch, or they may be non uniform as shown. For example, the points 114 to 126 inclusive may each represent a change in temperature of one degree at which the thermostat is to begin to start closing of the valve member 1.1, or the temperature increment may be one degree at the center of the range and two or more degrees near the end of the range, or if desired the temperature increment may progressively increase as the ends of the range are approached, etc.

While as respects certain features of this invention the selector switch heretofore described may be operated manually, it is within the contemplation of the invention that the selector switch may be operated automatically, as by time controlled mechanism or by thermostatic mechanism, so that as time progresses or a predetermined variation in temperature occurs there shall be a program adjustment of the controlled element. Fig. 5 shows a thermostatically operated selector switch. While the thermostat of this figure may operate a selector arm 127 of the type illustrated in Fig. 3, a diiferent type of selector switch is here shown as embodying the present invention.

As here shown, the selector switch takes the form of a mercury switch including a suitable curved vessel 150 carrying a suitable number of contact elements 151, which may be as numerous as those illustrated in Fig. 3, if desired. Vessel is mounted in any suitable way, as by a bracket 152 pivotally mounted at 153, so that it maybe tilted to cause a globule of mercury 154 to progressively move along the length of the vessel. Carried within the vessel is a contact element 156 which is always in electrical contact with the globule 154, such contact element being connected through lead 157 to any suitable source of current as a series of batteries 158. Leads 159 extend from the several contact elements 151 to commutatorbrushes, which may be like those described in conjunction with the dlment of Fig. 3 or they may be those hereer described in conjunction with Fig. 6.

order to tilt the vessel 156 automatically, pivotally niotuited bracket 152 is connected ."li a link to a lever 161 pivoted at .a suitable bracket, and a thermostatic 188 of any suitable character is operatitcly connected to said lever, or the vessel 163 be a pressure responsive device, so that e vessel .168 expands and contracts the vessel be disposed in accesseof expansion and contraction thereof. In order that the vessel 163 may beadjusted and the temperature at which it begins to operate the vessel 150 may be predetermined said lever lfil a nut, the tension of the spring 164 may be varied and thereby the point at which the vessel begins to operate may be predetermined. To facilitate adjustment, the nut 16'? for cooperation witha sutable scale 168.

In the embodiments so far described the remote control has been used to adjust athermostat. The embodiment of Fig. 6, however, shows how the remote control, whether operated manually or automatically, may be used to move other elements incrementally, as a damper or shutters. In this embodiment the shaft 99, which as in the embodiment of Figs; 2 or 3 is driven from the motor shaft 84, as by the worm worm wheel'l'll, also operates mechanism for operating the element to be controlled. In the form shown, a series of dampers 1'13, which may be taken as of any suitable means to be controlled, are driven from the shaft 99 in any suitable way, as by chain gearing, pinions or a crank and connecting rod 174. The dampers may thus be opened or closed by small increments as successive points in the selective switch of the remote control are engaged in succession. For example the dampers of a heater may thus be operated by a motor disposed adjacent thereto while the thermostatically operated switch may the room or other space the temperature of which is to be controlled.

It will therefore be perceived that novel thermostatic mechanism has been provided which includes means that may be either manually or automatically operated for varying the position of the thermostat with respect to the element to sion of the thermostat will not result in any in- I jury to the parts.

There has also been provided a remote con trol mechanism which may be used either for remote adjustment of a thermostat or for the remote thermostatic actuation of a member to be controlled, which includes improved driving mechanism, and improved control mechanism. Also there has been provided improved selec tive switch mechanism which may take a va-- riety of forms. Said remote control mechanism is particularly economical because the circuit is used only when an adjustment is to be effected. it permits reversal with a switch in only one oi the motor leads, and it enables the use or alternating current in. conjunction with a series wound electric motor of the double field coil type with the current flowing through the field and armature windings in the same direction for either direction of rotation. The remote control is equally selective for either direction oi rota 165 may carry a pointer 170 and tion, and it is of such construction that what= ever jump is made in the points of the selective switch the motor can only rotate in the direction corresponding with the direction of movement oi the switch element. If any point in the selective switch becomes dead the remote control mechanism is not rendered inoperative because all of the remaining points can still be used for clienting adjustment. The remote control system is particularly simple, and yet it is certain in op= oration, highly efficient, inexpensive to manufacture, install and operate, and flexible in use, enabling it to be employed in a wide variety of relations and combinations and to effect adjustments through small or large ranges and by small or large increments. Said remote control mechanism may also be operated automatically as well as manually, and it lends itself to operation by thermostatic mechanism, time controlled mechanism and other automatic and program devices. While the remote control mechanism has been described in connection with its use in the remote adjustment of a thermostat or whereby a thermostat may control a remote member, it is to be expressly understood that it is within the contemplation of this invention that the remote control may be used for other purposes and in other combinations. Also while the rethereto as it is capable of receiving a variety of expressions, some of which will now suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, while changes may be made in the details of construction, arrangement and proportion of parts, and certain features used without other features, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Reference is therefore to be had to the claims I hereto appended for a definition of the limits of the invention.

.tvhat is claimed is:

1. In a thermostatic device, in combination with a member to be controlled, a thermostat and operative connections between said thermostat and said member having ing the temperature at which said thermostat starts to expand, said connections including separable elements, and means for predeterminlng the extent oi separation of said elements, said first named means predeterminately opposing the operative engagement of said elements whereby said thermostat has a predeterminately controlled expansion before said elements engage.

2. In a thermostatic device, in combination with a member to be controlled, a thermostat and operative connections between said thermostat and said member having means for predetermim ing the temperature at which said thermostat starts to operate said member, said connections including resilient means for opposing expansion or" said thermostat throughout its range of expan means for predetermirn sion and elements normally separated to predethermostat has overcome the tension of said resilient means to-a predetermined amount.

'3. In a thermostatic device, in combination with a member to be controlled, a thermostat and operative connections between said thermostat and said member having means for predetermining the temperature at which said thermostat starts to operate said member, said connections including a pair of elements adapted to be variably spaced and to be engaged and operated by said thermostat only after said thermostat has expanded through apredetermined range, and resilient means for predetermining the temperature at which said thermostat starts to decrease the spacing between said elements.

4. In a thermostatic device, in combination with a member to be controlled, a thermostat and operative connections between said thermostat and said member havingmeans for predetermining the temperature at which said thermostat starts to operate said member, said connections including an element movable with said thermostat, a second element adapted to be spaced therefrom and engaged thereby after apredetermined expansion of said thermostat, said second named element being operatively connected to said member to be controlled, resilient means for predetermining the temperature at which said thermostat starts to decrease the spacing between said elements, means for adjusting said resilient means to predetermined said temperature, and means for predetermining the spacing of said elements.

5. In a thermostatic device, in combination with a. member to be controlled, a thermostat and operative connections between said thermostat and said member having-means for predetermining the temperature at which said thermostat starts to operate said member, said connections including an element operatively connected to said member, an element movable by said thermostat and adapted to engage and operate said first named element after a predetermined expansion or said thermostat, and resilient means cooperating with said East named element and adapted to yield to permit relative movement between said second named element and the thermostat.

6. In a thermostatic device, in combination with a member to be controlled, a thermostat, operative connections between said member and thermostat including an element operatively connected to said member and an element operatively connected to said thermostat and adapted to engage said first named element after a predetermined expansion of said thermostat, resilient means at all times opposing the engagement of said elements, and means for predetermining the interval of expansion of said thermostat bei'ore said elements are operatively engaged.

7. In a thermostatic device, in combination with a member to be controlled, a thermostat, operative connections between said member and thermostat including an element operatively connected to said member and an element operatively connected to said thermostat and adapted to engage said first named element after a predetermined expansion of said thermostat, resilient means for predetermining the initiation and interval or expansion of said thermostat before said elements are operatively engaged, and control means fox-adjusting said interval.

8. In a thermostatic device, in combination with a member to be controlled, a thermostat, operative connections between said member and thermostat including an element operatively connected to said member and an element op rativel with a member to be controlled, a thermostat, op-

erative connections between said member and thermostat including an element operatively connected to said memberand an element operatively connected to said thermostat and adapted to engage said first'named element after a predetermined expansion of said thermostat, and means for predetermining the interval of expansion of said thermostat before said elements are operatively engaged including an adjustable support for said thermostat, means carried thereby for predetermining the temperature at which said thermostat starts to expand, and means for moving said support to adjust said second named element with respect to said first named element to predeterminedly space said elements.

10. In a thermostatic device, in combination with a member to be controlled, a thermostat, operative connections between said member and thermostat including an element operatively connected to said member and an element operatively connected to said thermostat and adapted to engage said first named element after a predetermined expansion or said thermostat, and means to predetermine the interval of expansion of said thermostat before said elements are operatively engaged including a rotatable support within which said thermostat is mounted for expansion and contraction, gearing for rotating said support, and means whereby rotation of said support varies the spacing between said elements. 11. In a thermostatic device, in combination with a member to be controlled, a thermostat, operative connections between said member and thermostat including an element operatively connected to said member, a movable support for said thermostat, means carried by said support for adjusting the temperature at which said thermostat starts to expand, said means being unatfected by the movement of said support, a second element operatively connected to said thermostat and movable therewith, said second named element adapted to engage and operate said first named element alter a predetermined expansion of said thermostat, and means for moving said support to vary the position of said elements with respect to each other.

12. In a thermostatic device, in combination with a member to be controlled, a thermostat, operative connections between said member and thermostat including an element operatively connected to said member, amovable support for said thermostat, a second element operatively .connected to said thermostat and movable therewith, said second named element adapted to en gage and operate said first named element after a predetermined expansion of said thermostat, means carried by said support for controlling the expansion of'said thermostat, and a control device for moving said support to vary the-position of said-elements with respect to each other.

13. In a thermostatic device, in combination with a member to be controlled, a thermostat, operative connections between said member and accesses 4/ thermostat including an element operatively con nected to said member, a movable support for said thermostat, a second element operatively connected to said thermostat and movable therewith, said second named element adapted to engage and operate said first named element after a predetermined expansion of said thermostat,

means carried by said support for controlling the expansion of said thermostat, and means for moving said support to variously position said elements with respect to each other including an electric motor and a selective switch.

14. In a thermostatic, device, in combination with a plurality of members to be controlled, a thermostat, operative connections between said members and thermostat including an element operatively connected toone of said members, a second element adapted to operate another of said members, means normally causing said elements to move as a unit but permitting relative movement thereof after said first named member has been operated, and means for operating said elements from said thermostat, said last named means including relatively separable parts and means to predetermine the spacing of said parts to predetermine the temperature at which said thermostat begins to move said elements.

15. In a thermostatic device, in combination with a plurality of members to be controlled, a thermostat, operative connections between said members and thermostat including an element operatively connected second element adapted to operate another of said members, means normally causing said elements to move as a unit but permitting relative movement thereof after said first named member has been operated, and means .for operating said elements from said thermostat, said last named means including relatively separable parts, a movable support for said thermostat, and means to adjust said support to predetermine the spacing of said parts. I

16. In a thermostatic device, in combination with a member to be controlled, a thermostat, operative connections between said member and thermostat including an element operatively con nected to said member, a second element movable with respect to said first element but normally moving therewith, yieldable means normally holding said elements in a predetermined relation, a second member to be controlled operated only by the continued relative movement of one of said elements after the other element has come to rest, and operative connections between said thermostat and said elements.

1'7. In a thermostatic device, in combination with a member to be controlled, a thermostat, and operative connections between said member and thermostat including an element operatively connected to said member, a second element movable with respect to said first element but normally moving therewith, said second element being movable with respect to said first element only after said first element has come to rest, a spring normally holding said elements in predetermined relation, means limiting the relative movement of said elements, and operative connections be tween said thermostat and elements including a yieldably mounted member which will yield after said scond element has reached its limit position.

18. In a thermostatic device, in combination with a member to be controlled, a thermostat, operative connections between said member and thermostat including elements operatively connected to said member and thermostat and norto one of said members, a

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mally spaced stitute an operating connection after said thermo-- stat has expanded a predetermined amount, resilient means for controlling the engagement of said elements, means for adjusting said thermostat with respect to said member, and yieldably mounted means in said connections enabling the adjustment of said thermostat toward said member without operating said member after said connections have been completed.

-19. In a thermostatic device of the character employing a volatile fluid thermostat operatively connected to a member to be controlled by er:- pansion of said thermostat and having rotatable means for bodily moving said thermostat to any one of a plurality of positions to predetermine the temperature at which it operates said member, remote control means for said adjusting means, said remote control means including an electric motor, a commutatorthereior having a plurality of brushes, and a selective switch having as many contact points as there are brushes.

20. In a thermostatic device of the character employing a volatile fluid thermostat operatively connected to a member to be controlled by expansion of said thermostat and having rotatable means for bodily moving said thermostat to any one of a plurality of the temperature at which it operates said member, remote control means for said adjusting means, said remote control means including a series wound electric motor having two reversely wound field coils, a commutator having insulated segments electrically connected to said field coils and a series of brushes cooperating with said segments, and a selective s ten for completing the circuit through any one of said brushes.

21. In a thermostatic device of the character employing a volatile fluid thermostat operatively connected to a member to be controlled by expansion of said thermostat and having rotatable means movable to any one of several different positions for adjusting said thermostat to predetermine the temperature at which it operates said member, remote control means for said adjusting means, said remote control means including an electric motor and selective switch mechanism in circuit therewith for predetermining'the direction and extent of rotation of said motor.

22. In a thermostatic device of the character employing a volatile fluid thermostat operatively connected to a member pansion of said thermostat and having rotatable means movable to any one oiseveral different positions for adjusting said thermostat to predetermine the temperature at which it operates said member, remote control means for said adjusting means, said remote control means including an electric motor, a commutator rotatable thereby and electrically connected thereto and including insulated segments and a series or" brushes cooperating therewith, and a selective but adapted to engage and con" positions to predetermine i to be controlled by exswitch in circuit with said brushes for selecting the brush to be in circuit with said motor.

23. In a thermostatic device of the employing a volatile fluid thermostat operatively connected to a member to be controlled by expan sion 0; said thermostat and having rotatable character sulated segments and a. series of brushes 00- operating therewith, and a selective switch in circuit with said brushes for selecting any one of said brushes to predetermme the direction and extent of rotation of said motor, said commutator including insulation which interrupts the circuit through the selected brush when said motor has moved to the predetermined extent in a predetermined direction.

24. In a thermostatic device of the character employing a volatile fluid thermostat, operatively connected to a member to be controlled by expansion of said thermostat and having rotatable means movable to any one of several difierent positions for adjusting said thermostat to predetermine the temperature at which it operates said member, remote control means for said adjusting means, said remote control means including a series wound electric motor havu'ng two oppositely wound field coils, a commutator electrically connected thereto and driven thereby and including a series of brushes and a circuit interrupting element for successively engaging the same to predetermine the direction and extent of rotation of said motor, and a selective switch having as many contact points as there are brushes in said commutator.

' 25. In a thermostatic device of the character employing a volatile fluid thermostat operatively connected to a member to be controlled by expansion of said thermostat and having rotatable "means movable to any one of several different positions for adjusting said thermostat to predetermine the temperature at which it operates said member, remote control means for said adjusting means, said remote control means includan electric motor, a commutator electrically connected thereto and including a series of brushes for predetermining the direction and extent of rotation of said motor, and a selective switch having as many contact points as there are brushes in said commutator and including a movable vessel carrying a plurality of contact points anda movable element actuated by the movement of said vessel for selectively closing the circuit through any one of said contacts.

26. In a thermostatic device of the character employing a volatile fluid thermostat operatively connectedto a member to be controlled by expansion of said thermostat and having rotatable means movable to any one of several dififerent positions for adjusting said thermostat to predetermine the temperature at which it operates said member, remote control means for said adjusting means, said remote control means including an electric motor, a. commutator electrically connected thereto, and including a. series of brushes for selectively determining the direction and extent of rotation of said motor, a selective switch for selecting the brush to be in circuit with said motor, and automatic means for operating said switch.

27. In a thermostatic device of the character employing a volatile fluid thermostat operatively connected to a member to be controlled by expansion of said thermostat and having rotatable means movable to any one of several different positions for adjusting said thermostat to predetermine the temperature at which it operates said member, remote control means for said adjusting means, said-remote control means including an electric motor, acommutator in circult therewith and including a series of brushes for predetermining the direction and extent oi" rotation of said motor, a selective switch for sedetermine the contact through which the circuit lecting the brush to be in circuit with said motor, and a thermostat for operating said switch.

28. In a remote control mechanism, in combination with means to be controlled, 2. series wound electric motor operatively connected thereto and having two oppositely wound field coils, a commutator including insulated segments respectively connected to said field coils and a series of brushes cooperating with said segments, and means for predetermining the brush of said series to be in circuit with said motor, said last named means including a tiltable vessel including a plurality of contact points and an element movable therein upon tilting of said vessel to preis closed to said motor.

29. In a remote control mechanism, in combination with means to be controlled, a series wound electric motor operatively connected thereto and having two reversely wound field coils, a commutator in circuit therewith and rotated thereby, said commutator including insulated segments respectively connected to said field coils and a series of brushes cooperating with said segments, means for placing any one of said brushes in circuit with said motor, an insulating means for interrupting the circuit through the selected brush when said motor has rotated in the selected direction to the selected amount, and a selective switch for predetermining the brush to be in circuit with said motor, said switch including a tiltably mounted vessel carrying a plurality of contact elements and a movable globule of mercury positioned in contact with any of said contact elements by the tilting of said vessel.

30. In a remote control mechanism, in combination with means to be controlled, a series wound electric motor operatively connected thereto and having two oppositely wound field coils, a commutator including insulated segments 5 respectively connected to said field coils, and a series of brushes cooperating with said segments, means for selecting the brush to be in circuit with the motor, and means carried by said segments for interrupting the circuit through the selected brush when said motor has rotated to the predetermined amount in the predetermined direction, said segments being formed by disks having mating offset and undercut sections.

31. In a remote control mechanism, in combination with means to be controlled, an electric motor operatively connected thereto, a commutator electrically connected to said motor and rotatable thereby, said commutator including two disks each having an offset and an undercut 13b portion, insulation separating said disks, 9. pair of brushes contacting said disks and electrically connected to said respective field coils, and a series ofbrushes cooperating with said disks and adapted to be successively engaged by said insulation as said commutator rotates in one direction or the other. 32. In a thermostatic device of the character employing a volatile fiuid thermostat operatlvely connected to a member to be controlled by expension of said thermostat and having means movable to any one of a multiplicity of points to adjust the thermostat and vary the temperature at which said member is operated, an electric motor operatively connected to said means, 11 commutator for determining the extent of direction and rotation thereof, and a selective switch electrically connected to said commutator and including a tiltable vessel. carrying a plurality of contact points, means in said vessel for selectively engaging said contact points when said vessel is tilted, and means for tilting said vessel.

33. In a thermostatic device of the character employing a volatile fluid thermostat operatively connected to a member to be controlled by expansion of said thermostat and having means movable to any one of a multiplicity of points to adjust the thermostat and vary the temperature at which said member is operated, an electric motor operatively connected to said means, a commutator for determining the extent of direction and rotation thereof, and a selective switch movable to any one of a multiplicity of points to adjust the thermostatand vary the temperature at which said member is operated, an electric motor operatively connected to said means, a commutator for determining the extent of direction and rotation thereof, and a selective switch electrically connected to said commutator and including a member carrying a plurality of contact points, means for selectively engaging said contact points, and a thermostat operatively connected to said switch to predetermine the contact closed in accordance with the temperature of the medium to which said thermostat is subjected.

35. In a thermostatic device of the character employing a volatile fluid thermostat operatively connected to a member to be controlled by expansion of said thermostat and having means to be moved through successive increments to adjust said thermostat to any one of several positions, a motor driven shaft for operating said means, and a commutator for controlling the direction and extent of rotation of said motor, said commutator including a series of brushes, a selective switch for predetermining the brush to be in circuit with said motor, and automatic means for operating said switch.

36. In a thermostatic device of the character employing a volatile fluid thermostat operatively connected to a member to be controlled by expansion of said thermostat and having means to be moved through successive increments, to adjust said thermostat to any one of several positions, a motor driven shaft for operating said means, and a commutator for controlling the direction and extent of rotation of said motor, said commutator including a series of brushes, a selective switch for predetermining the brush to be in circuit with said motor, and a thermostat for operating said switch.

37. In a thermostatic device of the character employing a volatile fluid thermostat operatively connected to a member to be controlled by expansion of said thermostat and having means to be moved through successive increments to adjust said thermostat to any one of several positions, a motor driven shaft for operating said means, and a commutator for controlling the direction and extent of rotation of said motor, said commutator including a series of brushes, and a selective switch for predetermining the brush to hem circuit with said motor, said switch including a tiltable curved vessel carrying a plurality of contact points and a globule of mercury adapted to successively engage said contact points as said vessel is progressively tilted.

38. In a thermostatic device of th'echaracter employing a volatile fluid thermostat operatively connected to a member to becontrolled by expansion of said thermostat and having a member to be moved by successive increments to adjust said thermostat to any one of several po sitions, a series wound electric motor having two oppositely wound fleld coils, a commutator electrically connected to said motor and rotatedthereby, said commutator including insulated segments electrically connected to the respective field coils and a series of brushes cooperating with said segments, selective switch mechanism for predetermining the brush in circuit with said motor, and a thermostat for operating said selective switch.

39. In a remote control mechanism, in combination with means to be moved by successive increments, an electric motor operatively connected thereto and including two reversely wound field coils, and a commutator driven by said motor, said commutator including a series of brushes and a pair of segments cooperating with said brushes and separated by insulation movable into contact with any of the brushes of said series, and electrical connections between said segments and the respective field coils. v

40. In a thermostatic device of the character having a volatile fluid thermostat operatively connected to a member to be controlled by expansion of said thermostat and having rotatable means movable to any one of'several diflerent positions for adjusting said thermostat to predetermine the temperature at which it becomes operative to actuate said member, said means including a motor, a control device movable in either direction through a seriesof points corresponding with desired operating temperatures, and means interposed between said control device and said motor for controlling the latter whereby said motor operates said adjusting. means in conformity with the selected point 0! said control. device.

41. In a thermostatic device or the character having a volatile fluid thermostat operatively connected to a member to be controlled by expansion of said thermostat and having rotatable means movable to any one of several different positions for adjusting said thermostat to prodetermine the temperature at which it becomes operative to actuate said member, said means including a remote control device, and means interposed between said device and said thermostat whereby progressive increments of move-= merit of said control device produce progressive increments of adjustment in said thermostat.

42. In a thermostatic device of the character having a volatile fluid thermostat operatively connected to a member to be controlled by expansion of said thermostat and having rotatable means movable to any one of several different positions for adjusting said thermostat to predetermine the temperature at which it becomes operative to actuate said member, said means including a remote .control device, a motor for adjusting said thermostat, and means connecting said device and motor and operative to produce successive increments of movement of said member in either direction in response to successive increments of movement of said device in a corresponding direction.

43. In a thermostatic device of the character having a volatile fluid thermostat operatively rotation of by increr nts correspo' ding to the direction "Hid remote control device oer control device movable through successive increments, a motor driven means electrically connected to said remote control device and operative to effect rotation of said motor and adjustment of said member by increments corresponding to the direction and extent of movement of said remote control device, and thermostatic means for operating said remote control device.

a thermostat 1 said thermosilient means ture at which d, said connec- With a member and operative cc stat and said for predeterm' said thermostat st will."

tions including 5 hie ei rats, and means for predetermin" "e extent of separation of prede tcrmi said elements,

- me said mate 7 o QOSlE. 

